Fraser Coutts

Economist, Business Advisor and Real Estate & Private Assets Broker

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

News that BP is divesting its North Sea oil + gas assets should be a wake up call to the UK government. With Labour having increased Sunak's botched oil and gas windfall tax and net zero ban on new fields, Burnham had better start back peddling pdq.
https://t.co/vZy6vHec4x?

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

Sainsbury's offloading the remnant of Argos for £120m marks the end of an era having paid around £1.4bn back in 2016 for the then Home Retail Group.
https://t.co/SQbZqEndHP

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

UK Chancellor Healey's inaugural Budget date announced as Wed 28 October. After circa £40bn and £26bn Budget tax-rises by Rachel Reeves, without reigning in public spending - expect around £20bn+ of fresh tax rises.
https://t.co/9mjCqgz3bW

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

No surprise today from Bank of England's MPC keeping rates steady at 3.75%. The real surprise was the 6-3 rather than 7-2 split with Catherine Mann joining hawks Megan Greene and Huw Pill. MPC's voting dynamics set to remain tight over the coming months.
https://t.co/oTTURt4Z56

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

Adam Smith Institute estimates the number of UK millionaires has fallen to the lowest level since 2008 financial crisis. With the property market weaker and taxes continuing to rise, the fall is not a surprise, but its speed is.
https://t.co/bpsf1eMCHf

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

Fraser Coutts & Partners has notched up a 6th award this year from the BUILD Real Estate and Property Awards (formally published in September).

*Best Real Estate Private Client Advisor & Broker 2026 (Southern England)

Real Estate – Economic & Business Advisory – Private Assets

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

Burnham's 20% cut in UK business rates for pubs, clubs and music venues comes hot on the heels of reviving the £2 bus fares cap and scrapping 5% VAT on domestic power bills. What's not to like? But his 'war chest' may soon disappear as the economy falters. https://t.co/lWfBVm5EhS

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

CityAM analysis of the new Burnham government's pledges has identified a £22bn 'black hole' based on decisions to date and un-costed pledges inherited from the Starmer government. New Chancellor Healey will struggle to avoid jacking up taxes in the Autumn
https://t.co/v3A03GxjCB

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

Burnham and Healey's first policy move in scrapping VAT on household heating and power bills from 1st October is long overdue. The 5% VAT rate was a hangover from the UK's EU membership - it's removal is only possible because of Brexit....yes Brexit.

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

Fraser Coutts & Partners two new awards from SME News' 9th Annual UK Enterprise Awards 2026 were formally published on Thu 16 July.

>Leading Real Asset Advisory & Brokerage Boutique 2026

>Client Service Excellence Award 2026

https://t.co/eBkq0L4bT4

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

Been a long time coming but no surprise that Chancellor Rachel Reeves sacked by Andy Burnham. Her replacement ex-Defence Secretary John Healey is a surprise choice, but no doubt will quickly get to grips with the brief and find the money for defence.
https://t.co/u0jgMdj17o

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

One of Burnham or his Chancellor's first in-tray issues is to put in place a better successor to the old non-dom regime. Otherwise, it's less (not more) tax revenue raised as UHNWs continue to leave the UK and take their money elsewhere.https://t.co/vlrHN3EHFj?

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

The Telegraph - OBR: Burnham needs £120bn of tax rises to avoid crisis.

https://t.co/LM5NnQKdRf?

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

News that Sizewell B will be upgraded to run until 2055 instead of 2035 is hardly a triumph. Former PM Blair failed to back nuclear power for almost 10 years and this defunding means 4 old plants close by 2030 before Hinkley C & Sizewell C come online. https://t.co/53YxTU2AzP

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

The idea that multiple taxes can be scrapped into a single 'levy' reminds me of the Universal Basic Income. Nice idea on paper for policy wonks to discuss but in practical terms doesn't cut the mustard with politicians whose job is on the line.
https://t.co/rM8AhiFpTs

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

Fraser Coutts & Partners have won again in the 9th Annual Greater London Enterprise Awards 2026.

>Best UK Business Advisory & Brokerage Boutique

>Private Asset Broking Excellence Award

Fraser Coutts – Real Estate Broking – Economic & Business Advisory – Private Asset Broking

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

UK construction sector recession continues with the Construction PMI slumping to 38.4 in June, close to a 6-year low when the UK was grappling with covid. No sign of any upturn around the corner with government policies adding to the sector's woes.
https://t.co/KGCCmGpoDv

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

UK considering going Dutch to sort out is Neet problem - it's a good start but actually growing a economy held back by high inflation, record taxation, rising regulatory burden and political uncertainty shouldn't be forgotten
https://t.co/eTTC2sAJHl

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

Britain should look to Canada's Damascene conversion to mixed sources of energy with less punishing short-term net zero targets. That means restarting stalled North Sea oil and gas projects by lifting the ban.
https://t.co/liJCKUW7tw

[Fraser Coutts @fcoutts_]

"Burnham ‘could unlock £7bn investment boom’ in North Sea" - is a no brainer but if he makes Ed Miliband Chancellor then all bets are off. UK's Rosebank and Jackdaw oil and gas projects would be a good starting point to get unlocked.https://t.co/liJCKUWFj4